'Fairytale return' for steeplechase winner

An unexpected victory in the Grand Annual Steeplechase provided drama on the final day of Warrnambool's May Racing Carnival.

The New Zealand gelding Banna Strand went from zero to hero yesterday, after it carried jockey Gavin Bedggood to victory in the $250,000 steeplechase.

The John Wheeler-trained horse made international headlines in 2011 when it lost its rider during the same race and leapt over a barrier fence into a crowd of spectators, seriously injuring several people.

The Warrnambool Racing club chief executive, John Green, says the reversal of fortunes provided a fitting end to the carnival.

"It's a fairytale return of a former villain but I'm sure he's everyone's favourite today," he said.

About 27,000 people were at the racecourse over the three days of racing.

Banca Mo, trained by Scott Brunton, won the day's other feature race, the Warrnambool Cup.

Premier Denis Napthine watched the Grand Annual from the mounting yard at the Warrnambool racecourse and was thrilled by Banna Strand's victory.

"It was an absolutely fantastic race, a real terrific race and what a great story about the winner, Banna Strand," he said.